EBME Forums Forums Management Equipment Libraries Equipment Library Software

Our equipment library has been running since 1998, and we are looking at changing our software, so I would be grateful if anyone has recently accquired software for their library that they are happy with!!.

Rob,
If your trust is willing to part with a few grand, then good luck to you?
However, in my own experience I found it better to enrol on quite a few Access Database courses (including HNC), and everything you need can be done via that, queries, forms, searches, relationships etc. They may be more willing to part with their money for that, not only that it looks good on your CV?

We use the EMAT library module which is part of the full inventory management database. Not in favour of home produced software, as there will be questiones asked as to why technical staff are developing software. There are issues around support and continuity if the member of staff left.

alex

Alex, there is a lot of truth in what you say. I used to work in a hospital which had an in-house written database. The person that wrote it left and nobody had a clue what was going on, did they learn any lessons? No, they just allocated somebody to write a new one in Access!!! My advice would be to invest in a commercially available software like EMAT, HECS, SEMS or OPTIM where you can enter into a SLA with the supplier.

Also from experience supporting an in-house database is very labour intensive.

Does a similar question - "Why are technical staff developing Quality Management systems?" or "Why are technical staff developing equipment libraries?" not apply as well do you think?

Good question that, the answer, who knows, Not in all cases Richard, Im sure, but some say activity of this nature mainly gives purpose and justification for workshy fops, career building guttersnipes and those technically challenged.
Anyway, better get on with auditing these risk assessments .....

Alf,

"workshy fops, career building guttersnipes and those technically challenged"? One could easily take offence to those kind of remarks, however, I'm sure you mean well? The reason I decided to develop my own IMD was nothing to do with personal gain, just to make life easier for everyone. The person who covers for me while taking annual leave etc, has no problem what-so- ever keeping everything up-to-date. Also, as anyone who looks after an EL would have to have some technical knowledge i.e. IT, then surely any computerised system is acceptable?

Unfortunately many Hospitals are not willing to invest in software because they are ignorant of the benefits. I think it is admirable that some people have the talent to develop their own packages, but i agree with Alex that if the developer leaves there is a risk of obsolescence, and lack of support.

I expect that most of the well-known “industry standard” biomed-related software packages started life as a “home-grown” hack by some enlightened geek or other. Certainly the best ones did, and that’s how the software scene works. There’s always a “guru” behind it all somewhere.

Nothing wrong with having a go yourself (as I have asserted many time before). We are, after all, “hands-on technical types”, are we not? Don’t tell me, then, that you don’t change your own engine oil either? No wonder the country has gone to the dogs!

Lastly, there’s no problem with obsolescence or lack of support if you engage the right guy. Believe it or not, there are still a few decent blokes still around. Honest people willing to make a commitment, rather than “grab the money and run”!

roberth,

Surely a logbook and excel type program is enough to work a good library as long as all staff are fully dedicated to working it correctly!